Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shared last week that President Biden’s age is a “legitimate” concern when it comes to his hopes of winning reelection this year.
Clinton shared her thoughts with MSNBC days before special counsel Robert Hur’s report accused him of being senile and mentally lacking.
“I talked to people in the White House all the time, and you know, they know it’s an issue, but as I like to say, ‘look, it’s a legitimate issue,’” Clinton said. “It’s a legitimate issue for [ex-President Donald] Trump, who’s only three years younger, right? So it’s an issue.”
During Clinton’s interview last Wednesday, she also discussed the impending rematch between former President Donald Trump and President Biden, saying it may be difficult for them to connect with younger voters.
“I think Biden also should lean into the fact that he’s experienced, and that experience is not just in the political arena,” she said. “It’s like, the stuff of, you know, human experience, character, wisdom.
Clinton went on to say that Biden should joke around more about his age, leaning into his time in office, making him the most prepared candidate.
Biden responded to the special counsel report last week, showing a more agitated side to the allegations that went as far as to say that he “did not remember when he was vice president” and “did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died” over two days of interviews he did in October.
“My memory is fine!” Biden said during a press conference on Thursday, adding, “I know what the hell I’m doing!”
The report also comes as Americans grow less secure in Biden serving a second term. An NBC News poll from this month found that 76% of Americans are concerned he’s not mentally fit for another four years.
Despite acknowledging that age would be an issue, Clinton still said she would support Biden, saying he is the best candidate.
“I’m for Joe Biden for reelection on the merits because I think he’s done a really good job as president,” Clinton said. “So, I think he should continue to get out and campaign. He’s been campaigning pretty vigorously across the country.